Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (with optional Placement/Project year) MSc

Develops an understanding of the general concepts of stem cell biology and the potential of stem cell research and regenerative medicine to clinical conditions. Topics may include:

• Basic stem cell biology – pluripotency, differentiation, epigenetics.
• Embryonic, foetal, adult and iP stem cells.
• Manipulation and differentiation of stem cells.
• Application, legislation and ethics of stem cells in research and practice.
• Current status of clinical applications of stem cells in regenerative medicine.

The module aims to develops an advanced understanding of the general concepts of stem cell biology and the potential of stem cell research and regenerative medicine to clinical conditions.

Discusses the current and potential uses of the stem cells in regenerative medicine and the alternative strategies:

• Growing cells in bioreactors and on scaffolds
• Modelling cartilage
• Alternative strategies for tissue formation in vitro and in vivo
• Growth factors affecting in vitro and in vivo tissue formation
• Identifying pathways that mediate regeneration
• Biomaterials as scaffolds and the complexities of 3-D cell-culture (tissue engineering) techniques.
• Delivery systems – alternative strategies

The module aims to develop an advanced understanding of the processes involved in tissue formation and how this knowledge can be utilised to grow tissue in vitro and in vivo.

12 hours lectures & small group sessions that comprises of:

Model Systems of Regeneration:

• Towards a definition of complete regeneration
• Regenerative species
• Regeneration and development
• Regeneration and inflammation/immune function

Cell Systems and Responses to Injury

• Regenerative stem/progenitor cells and cell mobilisation
• Formation of the wound epithelium
• The blastema

Regulatory factors governing tissue regeneration

• Pattern formation, positional identity and cell memory
• Extrinsic regulatory factors

Models of regeneration and regenerative medicine

• In vivo models: zebrafish; polychaetes; planaria
• In vitro models

2 tutorials

60 hours of practical classes:

• Model systems of regeneration; zebrafish; polychaetes; planaria;
• In vitro models for neural, endothelial and epithelial tissue.

The module combines theoretical knowledge delivered through lectures/small group sessions with a practical exploration of the material.

Theory: To develop a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying regeneration of the body plan, comparing and critically considering regenerative models from phyla across the animal kingdom. The module will cover (i) the evolutionary origins of regeneration; (ii) regeneration and development; (iii) cellular responses to injury in different regenerative models; (iv) formation of a wound epithelium; (v) the regeneration blastema; (vi) the origin and mobilisation of regenerative stem and progenitor cells; (vii) the role of immune systems in regeneration; (viii) factors influencing a regenerative phenotype (e.g. innervation, ageing); (ix) pattern formation, polarity, positional identity and the role of cell memory in regenerated tissues; (x) models of regeneration in regenerative medicine.

Practical: To gain insight into experimental models of regeneration, e.g. zebrafish, polychaetes and planaria, and in vitro models of neural, endothelial and epithelial tissues. Students will gain experience and develop skills in a variety of practical elements, i.e. microdissection, fluorescence and bright field microscopy and image analysis, tissue culture. The practical aspects of the module will enable students to investigate relationships between wound injury, recruitment and mobilisation of regenerative cells and tissue regeneration using a variety of established wound injury and tissue regeneration models, in order to complement their understanding of theory content. The module aims further to provide students with general practical laboratory skills that have application across modules that are integral to the MRes Biological Sciences programme, including BI7146 (Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering). The module will further provide training in appropriate techniques for related projects for the extended MRes Research Dissertation module.

1. Introduction to bioscientific research: types of research (descriptive, analytical & experimental), including pure versus applied ways of problem solving. The building blocks of scientific research: scientific language (hypothesis, concepts, operational definitions, and dependent/independent variables); sampling procedures; and measurement issues (reliability and validity). How research is funded.
2. Research and data collection methods with an emphasis on experimental research (developing hypotheses, variables, controls, sample selection, design, validity).
3. In vitro and in vivo models in bioscientific research, clinical research and ethical considerations.
4. The nature of the knowledge base and how research is communicated- systematic reviews, literature reviews, original research papers and bioinformatic databases. Scientific conferences. Journal clubs including how to set up and participate in these.
5. Advanced literature searching.
6. Critical appraisal of literature - primary and secondary literature
7. Developing a research problem: identifying a topic area, devising specific questions, discovering what is already known (reviewing the literature), identifying gaps in knowledge, determining feasible ways to answer the questions.
8. Data analysis for research including: i. descriptive statistics - measures of central tendency, dispersion and skewness, and correlation; and, ii. inferential statistics – hypothesis tests (parametric and non-parametric), confidence intervals and regression analysis.

The module aims to provide students with an overview of the essential elements of sound bioscientific research and a graduate level introduction to data analysis and statistical analysis in particular. A key aim is to equip students with the skills required to source and critically analyse the bioscientific knowledge base. The module also aims to prepare students for their second ‘Essential methods’ module and for the planning and successful completion of the Research Dissertation module.

1. Introduction to the cell/tissue culture and molecular biology laboratories, including safety and regulatory issues.

2. Microbial cell culture – principles and practice.

3. Mammalian cell culture – principles and practice.

4. Recombinant DNA technology, next generation sequencing and quantitative PCR analysis.

5. Protein analysis – electrophoresis and Western blotting; immunocytochemistry.

6. Statistical analysis in practice.

7. Extended practical - analysis of gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels in human cell lines.

The module aims to develop students’ technical skills in key areas of molecular and cell biology that are central to current biotechnological research, and to promote their understanding of recent technological advances in these fields. It further aims to develop their skills in the handling, analysis and interpretation of data.

1. The drive towards personalised medicine and the development of targeted therapies
2. Gene therapy and gene editing (Zinc fingers, TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9) approaches, including ethical and regulatory considerations
3. The non-coding RNA world and oligonucleotide therapy – siRNA, anti-sense oligonucleotides (including antagomiRs and antagoNATs), mimetics, decoys and splice switching oligonucleotides
4. Applications for nanotechnology in molecular medicine with a focus on drug delivery; advantages for both controlled release/tissue targeting and ‘theranostics’
5. Molecular immunotherapy – monoclonal antibodies and checkpoint inhibitors
6. The hallmarks of cancer as a framework for therapeutic targeting

The module aims to equip students with a detailed understanding of current and emerging molecular therapies and issues surrounding their clinical translation. A key focus in this module will be how advances in basic molecular biological research have been central to driving the field forward especially in relation to personalised medicine.

On completion of taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. Their knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project in an area of relevance to their programme and which interests them. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the module leader and the student will need to prepare a detailed research proposal for evaluation prior to embarking on the research proper.

1. To provide the student with an opportunity to conduct a research project of direct relevance to their programme of study and his/her personal interests.
2. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the biosciences field.
3. To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of a substantive research dissertation.